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In past attacks, Egypt had usually identified local jihadists as the perpetrators.

Friday’s attack followed two suicide bombings of churches in April that killed 45 Copts. In December, a suicide bomber struck a church in Cairo, killing 29 Copts.

IS claimed all the bombings and threatened more attacks on the Copts, who make up about 10 percent of Egypt’s population of 90 million.

It has also killed several Christians in North Sinai, forcing dozens of families to flee.

The latest attack drew global condemnation. “Terrorists are engaged in a war against civilization, and it is up to all who value life to confront and defeat this evil,” US President Donald Trump said in a statement.

Pope Francis, who visited Egypt in April, sent a message to Sisi saying he was “deeply saddened to learn of the barbaric attack.”